Growing Garlic

Allium sativum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P    

(Best months for growing Garlic in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant cloves

September: Garlic can overwinter. Cover with a good layer of mulch . In areas where frost persists into March/ April, expect to harvest your garlic in June/July.

October: Garlic can overwinter. Cover with a good layer of mulch . In areas where frost persists into March/ April, expect to harvest your garlic in June/July.

  • Easy to grow. Plant cloves. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 5 inches apart
  • Harvest in 17-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beets, Carrots, Cucumbers, Dill, Tomatoes, Parsnips
  • Avoid growing close to: Asparagus, Beans, Brassicas, Peas, Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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18 May 16, tracey (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I live in pe. Would garlic grow in beach sand or must i ude potting soil? when is best time to plant. I have some cloves with new shoots i would like to try and cultivate
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02 May 16, itireleng mosekiemang (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
i am actually in Botswana. i am very much interested in farming by growing garlic. i am not sure if it is possible to grow it here. can someone give me ideas.
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13 Mar 16, debbie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
the best way to firtilising carlic
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Nitrogen. Add well rotted cow manure as a side dressing if you've already planted your garlic. When cow manure isn't available to me, I use Comfrey or worm tea.
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08 Mar 16, Estelle (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
After planted how long before fully developed
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Approximately 200 days.
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09 Feb 16, Johan van der MERWE (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
were can i buy gaint garlic seed I am at Ermelo Mpumalanga South Africa
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18 Jan 16, ATHOL HAWKES (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for the basics of Garlic planting on South Coast Natal - hot & humid. What about soil preparation ?, PH ?; Fertilizers etc?.
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Nitrogen. Add cow manure as a side dressing.
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08 Jan 16, Louise (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
What type of soil and pH level for garlic? Do they like a lot of water We are on the south coast, kwa-zulu natal.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 163 comments
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Lucky for you, you're in the same climate zone as the famous garlic producing town of Gilroy, CA. I understand they plant around late October/November and harvest in June or July. I'm not sure what the result will be for you since you planted yours later and garlic needs a very long season. Try pulling them up in July. If your weather gets very hot before then I'd put some light shade cloth over the garlic to bring the temperature down a few degrees. You may find that your bulbs are smaller than you hoped for, or that it only makes one large clove instead of separate cloves. They should still be good, just not ideal. Then try planting again around Halloween and your garlic should be much bigger next year. Btw, I'm not sure why the chart says garlic shouldn't be planted in 9a. Certainly 9a on the West Coast can and does plant it.

- Anonymous

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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